Full Day Private Charter on Luxury Catamaran Sailing.

A private day aboard Second Chance gives you something many boat trips cannot: the freedom to shape the day. From Red Hook, you can visit two or three snorkeling spots, swim near sea turtles, pause at a quiet cove, or simply stretch out on the catamaran’s trampolines while the St. Thomas and St. John scenery slides by.

I like the choice of stops and the fact that lunch, gear, paddle boards, and drinks are already covered. I also like the boat’s hammock chairs, which give you a wonderfully lazy place to watch the water. The main consideration is price: at $250 per person, this makes the most sense for a group that values privacy and a full day on the sea.

Key points to know

• Private itinerary: You choose the day’s stops with the crew rather than follow a fixed public-boat route.
• Three hours? No, nearly a full day: The trip lasts about 7 hours and 30 minutes, from an 8:30 a.m. start until you return to Red Hook.
• Three ways to enjoy the boat: Snorkel with supplied equipment, paddle board, or relax in the hammock swings and bean bags.
• Food and drinks are included: Fruit, pastries, wraps, chips, soda, water, rum punch or Painkiller, and a 12-pack of light beer are provided.
• Popular with groups: Birthday parties, families, and wedding celebrations can make especially good use of a private charter.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, while cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refundable.

A full sailing day from Red Hook

You meet Beach Charters VI at Dock B, slip 19, at 6501 Red Hook Road in St. Thomas. The listed start time is 8:30 a.m., and the boat returns to the same place at the end of the day.

That early departure is useful. You have enough daylight for several stops without making the outing feel rushed. Red Hook is also near public transportation, which helps if you are staying elsewhere on St. Thomas, though you should still plan enough time to reach the dock before departure.

The catamaran is called Second Chance, and the experience is private. Only your group participates, so you are not sharing the day with a large crowd of unrelated people. That changes the mood at once. You can talk with the crew about where you want to go, decide how long to linger, and adjust the balance between swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing.

The crew names that come up in the experience include Ivy, TL, and Captain Justin. John and Michelle are also noted as part of the warm welcome on one outing. Names matter here because the appeal is not only the boat itself. The crew helps set the tone, and the strongest praise centers on friendly service, clear communication, and personal attention.

Choosing between Maho Bay, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove

A typical day includes two or three snorkeling stops, but the route is not locked. Possibilities include Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, Christmas Cove, and other nearby locations.

Maho on St. John is the place most closely associated with sea turtle sightings in the information provided. If swimming with turtles is high on your list, tell the crew early in the day. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but choosing a site known for turtles gives you a better reason to make it part of the plan.

Lovango Cay offers another setting for a swim and snorkel stop. The attraction is the chance to see a different stretch of the islands rather than spend the whole day at one beach. With a private boat, you can ask how conditions look and choose the stop that best suits your group.

Christmas Cove is another named possibility. It gives you a change of scenery and a chance to break up the day with time in the water. The route will depend on conditions and your wishes, so you should think of these places as options, not guaranteed appointments.

That flexibility is a real benefit, but it also means you should speak up. If half your group wants to snorkel and the other half wants to lounge, tell Ivy, TL, or the captain. The boat is designed for a mixed day, not a forced schedule.

Snorkeling, turtles, and time in the water

Snorkeling is one of the main reasons to book this charter. Equipment is supplied, so you do not need to pack a full kit or arrange a separate rental. The boat visits two or three sites on a typical outing, giving you more than one chance to find clear water and sea life.

The stops are not presented as a race. You can swim, look for reef life, then return to the boat for food or shade. If you are new to snorkeling, the private format lets you ask questions without feeling that a large group is waiting for you.

You should keep expectations sensible. Sea turtles are a major draw, but no tour can promise that wildlife will appear on schedule. Water conditions also influence what you see. A rougher day may affect visibility or change the route, which is why the weather policy matters.

The boat also carries paddle boards. This gives you a second way to enjoy the coves if you would rather stand above the water than wear a mask and snorkel. Families and mixed-age groups may find that especially helpful, since not everyone wants the same activity at the same time.

The best seats are on the trampolines and at the stern

A sailing catamaran gives you room to spread out. Bean bags sit on top of the forward trampolines, offering an easy place to catch the sun while you watch the islands pass. The ride is described as smooth, though anyone prone to motion sickness should still prepare carefully for a full day on the water.

At the back of the boat, you can use the original Beach Charters VI hammock chairs. These are not just a decorative touch. They give you a comfortable perch after snorkeling, and they are ideal for someone who wants to enjoy the views without joining every water activity.

This is where the private format pays off again. You can settle into the hammock chair, take a break from the sun, or watch the rest of your group use the paddle boards. A standard snorkel trip can leave non-swimmers feeling like spectators. Here, the boat itself supplies several ways to enjoy the day.

Still, the sun is part of the package. You should bring whatever personal sun protection you normally use, as well as clothing that works for swimming and drying out between stops. The supplied food and drinks make the day easier, but they do not replace your own basic comfort items.

What is included for lunch and drinks

Food is handled simply and practically. In the morning, the crew provides a fruit and pastry tray. Later, lunch includes freshly sliced turkey, cheese, and a vegetable wrap with chips.

Water and soda are available throughout the day. The included alcoholic drinks consist of one gallon of rum punch or Painkiller, based on your group’s choice, plus a 12-pack of light beer. Alcohol is limited to people who are at least 18 years old.

I see real value in having food included on a 7-hour-30-minute outing. You do not need to leave the boat to find lunch, and nobody has to guess how much food to bring for a long morning on the water. The menu is casual rather than elaborate, which suits a boat day.

The drinks also help keep the plan easy, especially for a birthday or family celebration. Remember that gratuity is not included. You should budget for that separately if the crew provides the service you expect.

Why private matters for birthdays and family days

This charter is especially well suited to a group that wants one shared experience. A birthday party of nine people used the boat for a full day, while another group used it for a wedding celebration. The crew also accommodated requests during a group outing that included six people.

That range tells you something useful about the format. You do not need to be a serious sailor or an expert snorkeler. The day can be active, social, or slow, depending on what your group wants.

Families may appreciate the mix of activities. Children can use the paddle boards or swim, adults can snorkel, and someone who wants a quiet hour can sit in a hammock chair. The boat becomes the common meeting place even when everyone chooses a different activity.

The private setup is less useful if you are traveling alone or with only one other person and mainly want the lowest possible price. At $250 per person, the cost adds up quickly. The value improves when your group will use the full boat experience, stay aboard for most of the day, and take advantage of the included food, gear, and drinks.

The booking pattern also deserves attention. This experience is booked an average of 98 days ahead, so popular dates can disappear well before a vacation. One group did secure a reservation only about 12 hours ahead, but that was an exception rather than a planning strategy.

What the strong feedback highlights

The most consistent praise is aimed at Ivy and the crew. Their friendly manner, attention to requests, and ability to make a group feel at home are repeated themes. Captain Justin is also singled out for creating a welcoming and well-run day.

The boat itself receives favorable attention for being clean and ready at departure. One outing included all-day marina parking for an additional $30, which can be useful if you are driving. That parking arrangement should be confirmed when you book, since the tour price does not include it.

The scenery is another major part of the appeal. You see beaches and islands from the water rather than from a road or crowded viewpoint. The changing view gives the day a sense of movement, even during the periods when you are simply sitting on deck.

A few details make the praise more specific than a simple good boat trip. Families enjoyed the mix of snorkeling, paddle boarding, and relaxing in the hammock swing. One birthday group focused on the views and time together. Another group described the charter as the highlight of a longer Virgin Islands holiday.

Those comments point to the experience’s real strength: it combines a sightseeing cruise, a beach day, and a private celebration without making you choose only one.

Practical details before you book

The price is $250 per person. That is not a bargain excursion, but the comparison should be made against what is included. You receive a private catamaran, nearly eight hours on the water, snorkeling equipment, paddle boards, hammock swings, lunch, fruit and pastries, water, soda, rum punch or Painkiller, and beer.

The price is easier to justify for a larger group that would otherwise pay separately for several activities. It is harder to justify if you plan to spend most of the day sitting at the marina or if only one person in your party wants to swim.

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the ticket is mobile. Most people can take part, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The activity requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can receive a full refund or move to another date.

For your own cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded.

Bring your phone in a safe, waterproof way if you want photos, but do not let the camera become the day’s main activity. The best parts of this charter are the water stops, the views, and the time your group spends together away from shore.

Who should book Second Chance

I would choose this for a family, birthday group, wedding party, or circle of friends that wants a private day with room for different interests. It also suits you if you care more about flexibility and personal service than about following the cheapest fixed route.

It is a good match for swimmers and snorkelers, but you do not need to be in the water all day. The hammock chairs, bean bags, and shaded moments let you take breaks without ending the outing.

I would think twice if your budget is tight, if you need a guaranteed wildlife sighting, or if you prefer a short cruise with a fixed schedule. You should also confirm how your group wants to spend the day before booking. A private boat works best when everyone agrees that some time will go to swimming, some to sightseeing, and some to doing absolutely nothing.

Should you book this St. Thomas catamaran charter?

Book it if you want the islands from the water and value having the boat to yourself. The two or three snorkeling stops, possible turtle sightings, paddle boards, hammock chairs, and included lunch make this more than a simple sail past the beaches.

The strongest reason to choose Beach Charters VI is the combination of flexibility and attentive crew service. The biggest reason to hesitate is the per-person cost. For a group celebrating something special, or for a family that wants one easy full-day plan, the price can make sense. For a budget-minded couple, a shorter shared trip may be the better fit.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran charter start?

The trip starts at Beach Charters VI, Dock B, slip 19, at 6501 St. Thomas, 201 Red Hook Road, St. Thomas 00802, USVI.

What time does the tour begin?

The listed start time is 8:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The charter lasts approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Red Hook.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

Which snorkeling stops might be included?

Typical possibilities include Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove. You choose the locations with the crew, and a typical day includes two or three snorkeling stops.

Are snorkeling equipment and paddle boards included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, paddle boards, and hammock swings are included.

What food and drinks are included?

The trip includes morning fruit and pastries, a turkey, cheese, and vegetable wrap with chips, water, soda, one gallon of rum punch or Painkiller, and a 12-pack of light beer.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted or refunded. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.